STYLEAID director rises to challenge - The West Australian

How to top an event that boasted WA Opera and WA Ballet performers, the State's most celebrated designers and 85 models?

That was the dilemma for STYLEAID creative director Aly May when planning the 17th annual fundraiser this year, which has raised more than $1.1 million for the WA AIDS Council since it began in 1996.

Despite having a hard act to follow, the 2014 soiree is set to be bigger and better after getting its biggest cash injection yet from new naming rights sponsor Curtin University.

The $40,000 gives STYLEAID a chance to top its fundraising record, something Curtin vice-chancellor Deborah Terry said the university would be honoured to be part of.

"It would be a very special moment because of our joint focus on fashion and our great commitment to education and research into AIDS prevention," Professor Terry said.

Last year, designs from Aurelio Costarella, Zhivago and Flannel were on the runway and Ms May said she felt under pressure to keep the event fresh with a theme to link the fashion side and the charity.

She settled on Mythic - a romantic realm of storytelling that would translate from the clothes through to the opportunity to share tales from people living with HIV and AIDS.

"I don't like doing things that are repetitive and there needs to be a good rationale between the theme and what it's really about," she said.